A colourful makeover coming for Auckland's Paremoremo prison unit which houses the country's most dangerous criminals, won't be anything too flashy.

In a bid to lift its oppressive conditions, the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit is receiving a fresh paint job with colourful designs and shapes.

It follows a Chief Ombudsman report raising concerns of human rights abuse.

Corrections Custodial Services Commissioner Leigh Marsh says it won't involve detailed murals of people and places.

He says it'll be a range of natural colours , with hues of blues and greens with geometric triangles that look like trees.

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